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SB 341

Relating to a natural resource credit against estate tax; prescribing an effective date.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by David Smith

Baltimore City nonprofits affiliated with the local MLB team may run raffles at games, under permits with geofenced, age-verified sales and per-purchase limits.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · SB 341

SB 341 — Baltimore City — Raffles — Organizations Affiliated With a Professional Major League Baseball Team

Status: Approved by the Governor — Chapter 372 (effective June 1, 2025)

Purpose

Authorize certain Baltimore City organizations that are affiliated with a professional major league baseball team that plays home games in Baltimore City to conduct raffles (including electronic raffle ticket sales at games), subject to permitting, age-verification, geofencing, and other consumer-protection and accountability requirements.

Key provisions

  • Authorized organizations

    • Must be located in Baltimore City and spend a majority of their funds in Baltimore City for fraternal, civic, charitable purposes, veterans’ hospital purposes, or amateur athletics.
    • Must be affiliated with a professional major league baseball team that plays its home games in Baltimore City.

  • Permits and oversight

    • Organizations must obtain a written permit from a Baltimore City agency designated by the City government before conducting raffles.
    • The designated agency must review the applicant’s character before issuing a permit.
    • Permits are nontransferable and must state that raffles be managed and operated only by members of the permitted organization.
    • A single permit may authorize raffles at multiple MLB games; such permits expire at the end of the calendar year in which issued.
    • Applications and agency action on permits are public record (consistent with existing gaming-event permit practice).

  • Raffle operation rules

    • Organizations may set ticket prices and award prizes (money or merchandise) in any amount.
    • Individuals or groups may not personally benefit from raffle proceeds; proceeds must be used for the organization’s stated purposes.
    • Raffle ticket sales (in-person or electronic) are limited spatially to the geographic boundaries of Baltimore City.
    • Electronic sales must employ a geofence to ensure purchases are made within the specified Baltimore City area.
    • Age verification is required to ensure buyers are at least 18 years old.
    • Tickets may be sold no earlier than 1 hour before the official start of the baseball game and sales must end by the seventh inning of that game.

  • Payment method exception

    • Organizations conducting these raffles are not subject to the general prohibition on accepting credit as payment provided that no individual purchases more than $50 worth of tickets or makes more than one credit transaction per day.

  • Penalties

    • Knowingly conducting a raffle in violation of the law is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and/or a fine up to $1,000.

Who is affected

  • Eligible Baltimore City nonprofit/fraternal/civic/charitable organizations affiliated with the local MLB team (e.g., team-linked foundations or booster organizations).
  • Baltimore City agencies designated to issue permits and enforce rules.
  • Game attendees and potential raffle purchasers (age-restricted; electronic purchases limited by geofence and per-person credit limits).
  • Existing permit and enforcement authorities (e.g., Baltimore City Police Department or other designated agency).

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • Fiscal and Policy Note (pre-enactment) indicated a small potential reduction in State lottery receipts and that Baltimore City could administer permits with existing resources.
  • The Maryland Fiscal Note initially described the measure as terminating June 30, 2026 (i.e., a pilot). The enrolled Chapter 372 carries an effective date of June 1, 2025. Consult the official published Chapter 372 text for any termination language or additional implementation details.

Practical impact

  • Creates a structured, conditional pathway for team-affiliated organizations to run raffles at MLB games in Baltimore, including modernized electronic ticket sales with geofencing and age checks.
  • Balances fundraising flexibility (no prize caps; many raffles allowed at games) with safeguards: permitting, member management, geographic limits, age verification, and caps on credit use per purchaser.
  • Enforcement remains criminal for intentional violations (misdemeanor).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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